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Afternoon tea near Victoria coach station?

At the end of this month, I'll be meeting a penpal in London. She is taking the bus from Cardiff to Victoria coach station. We would like to go somewhere for afternoon tea, not too far from the station. Last year we went to the English Rose Tea Room, which was very nice. Had a heckuva time finding it though--asked 3 or 4 people and used Google Maps--still wandered in circles for at least a half hour. I'm not opposed to a short Tube trip if the tea is worth it but after she's been on a bus all morning, I wouldn't want to ask her to take yet another ride. Thanks!

EDIT: The budget I'm looking for is about 40 pounds per person. Thank you!

Posted by
9139 posts

Budget?

The Goring or Rubens at The Palace. Expensive but well done.

I’d research to see if a Biscuiteers is nearby.

Posted by
704 posts

These sound lovely but out of my budget, I'm afraid. No more than 40 pounds (which is what the English Rose Tea Room charges).

On the other hand, Peggy Porschen is only 10 pounds more and we won't get lost trying to find it! Thank you. :)

Posted by
7525 posts

Have you thought of the Brigit's Bakery afternoon tea Routemaster bus? - that leaves from Victoria Coach Station.- https://b-bakery.com/london/bus-tours/afternoon-tea-bus-london

There is a review of a themed version of it here- https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england-reviews/review-brigit-s-bakery-high-tea-grinchmas-bus-tour

Amidst all the modern coaches it makes a wonderfully incongruous sight when it arrives in- I've seen it there a couple of times when waiting on the high numbered stands.

Posted by
10063 posts

I was going to suggest Peggy Porschen, but Pam beat me to it. Especially since one of your big interests is NOT getting LOST !!! That's worth 10£ I think

Posted by
14608 posts

And almost literally when you step out of the Coach Arrivals Station onto the sidewalk/pavement and look RIGHT you can see the Peggy Porschen pink, flowered facade at the corner! I did try to look at this view on google street view and unfortunately coaches/buses were in the way, lol.

There is a bakery across the street from the Arrivals Hall but it does not look like they do an Afternoon Tea. I have not gotten food from there so also no opinion on quality. It's the Chestnut Bakery.

editing to add: Sorry to keep posting but it seems I can't think of everything I want to say at one time. Do you have the CityMapper app? It is very good with walking directions and would probably have helped you find your tea room pretty easily last time. I just put it into City Mapper with directions from my usual hotel (The Lime Tree on Ebury St near Peggy, lol) and it showed me the route with no problem.

Posted by
3845 posts

You might try the lunchroom at the V&A Museum.
A beautiful room with ornate gold ceilings and sometimes piano or harp music at tea time.

You can get as much or as little as you want.
If all you want is a pot of tea and two desserts, you can have that.
They serve a real afternoon tea at V&A, with all the little sandwiches and scones, too.

You might want to make a day of it, browsing the museum before and after your tea party.

Posted by
704 posts

Thank you all very much! I will look into each of these.